Gel Treatment to Heal Damaged Heart Cells

Scientists at University of California has conducted a trial on a unique gel which would help to heal damaged heart tissues. The gel is hydrogel and can be injected directly to damaged part.

The gel is in trial and may seek FDA approval soon. It is prepared from tissues known as connective tissues. Connective tissue is one of the four basic types of tissue. The tissues used in gel are derived from Decellularized Ventricular Extracellular Matrix of heart. Derived tissues are then transformed into powder by freezing and drying. The powder along with special liquid, is then used to inject in heart.

Formation of new cells is initiated by connective tissues when the liquid consolidates and becomes partly solid. The overall process triggers formation of new cells at the injected area without disturbing functionalityies of heart. This eventually results in replacement of damaged cells with new cells. Apart from healing, the hydrogel also generates signals to stop further damage of the cells.

Other materials, used to heal damaged cells of heart, experimented on mice are suppose to be delivered by syringe or needle. But, none of them were suitable for delivery through catheter as most of the material blocked catheter because of rapid consolidation.

Scientists found, during experiment on rats, the gel very feasible as it was easily accepted by body at body temperature. Unlike other treatment hydrogel did not show side effects such as abnormal heart beats. That way the hydrogel has been concluded as safer.

Dr Karen Christman is one of the authors involved in trial.

The trial result has been demonstrated in Journal of the American Cardiology.

Merck's New Anti-Platelet Drug Produce Mixed Result

A new antiplatelet drug has shown significant ability to prevent blood clots. However, the drug also caused abnormal bleeding in clinical trial. Merck & Co is testing the drug in a trial which is believed to be largest drug trial conducted for any heart medicine so far.

The manufacturer company is seeking approval for Vorapaxar drug since last year. But the approval is denied because of bleeding caused by the drug in patients with history of stroke. Submitted data of the study included 26,449 participants.

Merck has been asked to stop the trial on patients who had stroke in recent past and, allowed to continue trial on heart attack patients who are in stable condition at present. Vorapaxar is currently being tested on patients who have recently been diagnosed with clogged leg arteries.

Latest trial data published by drug maker last month showed significant reduction in forming of blood clots, while on the other hand, it caused excessive bleeding. Experts are inconclusive whether the company would apply for approval. A trial named TRACER for same drug had failed too. It is also not clear whether Merck would conduct another trial on heart attack patients only.

Despite drug maker is quite happy with trial result, experts see very less possibility for approval. Drug usage will be limited to small group even if Vorapaxar succeeds to get approval.

BEST FOR HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

Researchers involved in trial claimed that after 30 months administered Vorapaxar met goal when it's effects were compared with other popular antiplatelet drug such as Plavix and Aspirin. In fact Vorapaxar reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular diseases by 13% when compared with its other counterparts in market.


In past several decades Vorapaxar is first new antiplatelet drug which provides long time protection for to patients with history of heart attack, says Dr. David Morrow - lead researcher of the trial.

Natrecor a heart failure drug is found to be ineffective

A latest study published by New England Journal of Medicine says, Natrecor (nesiritide),the heart failure medicine is not effectual and is associated to increasing rates of possibly hazardous low blood pressure.

The heart failure drug Natrecor was approved in 2001 to help patients breathe without difficulty. According to the research, since the medicine had no major consequence on breathing problems or any other disease difficulty may also cause low blood pressure.

The study authors have noted that the research has recognized the possible risk and benefits of the drug in people with heart failure who have serious difficulty in breathing a condition also known as dyspnea as the illness is worsening.

To come up with new drugs, we require adequate plan and must have enough data, to rework the whole process so that the doctors and patients are comfortable. Billions of dollars were spent on Natrecor (nesiritide), where as we could have used Lasix which costs penny for single dose. We need to rethink the entire pharmaceutical industry process.

Even though, there were small non-specific effect on reducing death, re-hospitalization and improve dyspnea with nesiritide use for severely worsening heart failure. This result improves clinicians about the possible danger and benefits of Natrecor (nesiritide) in treating such patients.

In 2001 Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. approved nesiritide, the anxiety were raise which may also be associated with worsening of renal functioning and mortality.

It is said that Nesiritide, shall be not be taken away from the market, as it doesn't harm anyone, just because it doesn't hurt people it doesn't means that it should be made available in the market.